WSC - IC convention report (final).ppt...The 70 th Convention of International Chapter, P.E.O. was...
Transcript of WSC - IC convention report (final).ppt...The 70 th Convention of International Chapter, P.E.O. was...
Welcome to Washington State Chapter’s first online report of Convention of International
Chapter, P.E.O. Every P.E.O. is now able to learn about the business held at the convention Chapter, P.E.O. Every P.E.O. is now able to learn about the business held at the convention
by going to the International website, by reading the November-December issue of the
RECORD, viewing this presentation, reading the script, or by contacting the delegate
representing her chapter. We’ll report the business and try to relay the excitement and joy
of attending.
The Convention of International Chapter, P.E.O. takes place every two years and every two
years we hear questions like, “When is it our turn to send a delegate to International years we hear questions like, “When is it our turn to send a delegate to International
Convention? Seems like we haven’t sent a delegate in a long time.” You’ll be pleased to
know that our Washington State chapters are placed in a rotation so that every chapter
gets a chance to send a delegate every 10 to 12 years. International uses our membership
numbers to come up with a number of delegates who are “entitled”---who will have a vote,
and have expenses paid for housing and meals. Our 246 chapters in the state entitles us to
37 delegates who will report to about 6 chapters each. 1 past state president for every 5
living past state presidents is also entitled to vote and have expenses paid for housing and
meals. This year 5 past state presidents were entitled and 5 others joined as visitors. Past
state presidents do have voting privileges for life. This means that this year Washington
State Chapter held 47 votes.
Being a delegate to International Chapter is quite a responsibility. Delegates solicited views
and comments regarding the proposed amendments from the chapters they represented and comments regarding the proposed amendments from the chapters they represented
before coming to convention. They then considered those viewpoints as they heard
discussion during convention and voted their conscience. The delegate representing your
chapter made her own travel arrangements and it was amazing to see how we all came
together from far and wide. Each attendee registers, signs in, and then attends required
seminars. In addition to seminars, each delegate chooses 3 workshops to attend. Business
sessions began on Friday morning at 9:00 am and continued until dinner time. Business
resumed on Saturday and again, lasted all day. It is the responsibility of every delegate to
participate in all convention business sessions and to report the business to their assigned
chapters.
The 70th Convention of International Chapter, P.E.O. was held in St. Louis, Missouri in the
shadow of the famous arch which commemorates Saint Louis’ role in the westward shadow of the famous arch which commemorates Saint Louis’ role in the westward
expansion of the United States during the 19th century. Exactly 1,500 voting members were
in attendance which included 859 local chapter delegates. They were joined by more than
2,100 visitors, making total attendees more than 3,600.
Our 37 local chapter delegates, plus 5 entitled past state presidents, and about 10 visitors
flew to and from St. Louis on 17 different airplanes and one BIL chauffeured automobile. flew to and from St. Louis on 17 different airplanes and one BIL chauffeured automobile.
P.E.O. recognition pins and P.E.O. luggage tags were spotted on our flights and were
attached to delegates from British Columbia, Alaska, Oregon, and Washington. It made it
easy to join other P.E.O.s for dinner on the evening we arrived.
At 7:00 on Wednesday morning our chartered bus awaited us outside our hotel door. A
busload of 40 happy Washington State P.E.O.s began their 4 and ½ hour ride to visit the busload of 40 happy Washington State P.E.O.s began their 4 and ½ hour ride to visit the
college that they own…our Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri. 283 miles and 283
thousand smiles later, we arrived in Nevada.
Delegates were greeted by the Cottey staff and given a tour of the Performing Arts building.
Several of our 16 Cottey students from Washington State joined us for lunch in the dining Several of our 16 Cottey students from Washington State joined us for lunch in the dining
hall.
Then the Golden Key seniors broke us into groups of 10 as we toured the campus. All were
impressed by the sculptures and various works of art scattered throughout the campus as impressed by the sculptures and various works of art scattered throughout the campus as
well as the friendly students who seemed happy to have us on campus. Buildings have
been restored over the years so that the historical charm remains. One delegate was over
heard to say, “I thought I’d see an old lady college----the science labs, campus, buildings
and classrooms are beautiful! Young college students must love it here. I’ve got to tell the
chapters about Cottey!”
With a teacher-student ratio of 1-10, top notch professors, and state-of-the-art facilities,
we can all be proud of our college. The delegates especially enjoyed being invited into the we can all be proud of our college. The delegates especially enjoyed being invited into the
Washington State suite to get a glimpse of suite life where about 4 dorms are joined by a
common room for the 8 to 10 students to relax and chat together. Yes, some dorm rooms
are neater than others---some things never change. You can imagine the 4 ½ hours of
chatter and fun that was had on our bus ride back to St. Louis as we munched on a box-
lunch type dinner that was provided by the Cottey dining crew. Memories were made,
friendships cemented, and beds were welcomed as we pulled into the driveway of our
hotel around 9:30 pm that night.
Convention began on Thursday morning. Each delegate attended the required
“Finance/Budget Seminar” and the “Study and Research Amendments Seminar” to gain a “Finance/Budget Seminar” and the “Study and Research Amendments Seminar” to gain a
better understanding of the workings of our monies and just how we would implement
Robert’s Rules of Order throughout convention. The afternoon was a time to view project
displays and attend workshops. The workshops presented were entitled, “Powerful
Decisions, Confident Lives”, “What’s Cooking at Cottey”, “Show Me Cottey Dancing”, and
“How to Dig Up Your Roots (without gardening)” through genealogy. This made for a time
to “seek growth in knowledge and culture” and to “obtain all possible wisdom…”
The formal opening of convention began with a Parade of Flags where each
state/province/or district was represented as their president and organizer proudly state/province/or district was represented as their president and organizer proudly
marched throughout the auditorium. Traditionally the president and organizer wear
matching shirts and Kay and Nancy had fun by donning matching rain jackets to represent
our state of Washington…yes, we know that the sun shines on the east side of the
mountains. The flag parade reminds us that P.E.O. is much bigger than our own chapter
and state. Every delegate wore a scarf, collar, sash, or badge to identify their
state/province/or district. We are an International organization of women with high ideals
and purpose.
There was assigned seating for the delegates of each state/district/or province. Business
meetings involved voting on an electronic voting pad which is much like your television meetings involved voting on an electronic voting pad which is much like your television
remote “clicker”. Amendments were presented, addressed, and then each delegate
pressed a “pro” or a “con” button on the remote. Ballots were then tallied electronically
and results were shared immediately.
Wearing our Washington State sashes made it easy to spot each other and for others to
recognize those of us from the Evergreen State. Friendships were renewed, chapter recognize those of us from the Evergreen State. Friendships were renewed, chapter
successes were shared, commonalities and differences were celebrated.
Know that the delegates representing your chapter took their responsibilities seriously.
They diligently studied the proposed amendments, listened to the discussion, your input, They diligently studied the proposed amendments, listened to the discussion, your input,
and then voted according. It made for productive, fulfilling, long days which we counted as
a privilege.
Project night proved to be emotional and uplifting. Cottey’s Defining Moment campaign
was kicked off and the new Baccalaureate programs are now in place. An ELF recipient was kicked off and the new Baccalaureate programs are now in place. An ELF recipient
relayed how her return to school has brought her to extensive studies and research with
the Smithsonian museums…including being able to wear the Hope diamond for a moment
or two. The IPS student received a standing ovation for her amazing piano performance. A
PCE recipient told how her study in art history led to working with digital media and to
bringing art to people who are homeless. A STAR recipient is now the Vice President of the
Student Body at Princeton University…a first for a woman. She hopes that her studies will
help to improve the education of women in South Africa. Our Scholar Award recipient
brought such hope to all of us who have been touched by breast cancer---everyone in the
audience. She is a mechanical engineer who went on to receive an MD in radiology and
she has created a way to use bio chemical signals to identify cancer cells. She was pleased
to let us know that mammograms and “being crushed” will soon be a thing of the past and
cancer will be detected in the very earliest stages. Our P.E.O. Projects are changing
lives…changing our world.
You can imagine how much chatting goes on at meal time. Our delegates took advantage
of the chance to meet P.E.O.s from all across the USA and Canada. The well thought out of the chance to meet P.E.O.s from all across the USA and Canada. The well thought out
meals added to our experience. Have you ever tasted St. Louis’ “Gooey Butter Cake”? We
have. Look out Paula Deene.
A notable fact is that all 47 delegates plus our visitors arrived a few minutes EARLY to every
appointed meeting time….and they brought their smiles with them.appointed meeting time….and they brought their smiles with them.
Our state officers, Treasurer Elizabeth Humphrey, Vice President Kay Ebert, President Nancy
Stannert, Organizer Milla Oestreich, and Secretary Susan Heiser enjoyed getting to know Stannert, Organizer Milla Oestreich, and Secretary Susan Heiser enjoyed getting to know
our sisters from around the state. We were surrounded by the enthusiasm of our state’s
delegates and loved seeing the warmth bounce from one P.E.O. to another throughout our
time together.
Delegates were shuttled to the airport at various times on Sunday. Quite a few flew on the
flight scheduled to depart at 6:00 p.m. so we used the time to do a little exploring. The St. flight scheduled to depart at 6:00 p.m. so we used the time to do a little exploring. The St.
Louis arch is quite a sight. Climbing into the 5 passenger, knee-to-knee trams was not for
the claustrophobic. The view from the top of the 630 foot Gateway Arch was well worth
any trepidation. Although your state president’s eyes are closed in this photo, she can
attest to the grandeur of the land viewed from the observation windows. Those who knew
that they would rather have their feet on the ground enjoyed the gift shop and joined the
adventurers when they came back down to earth. A museum at the base of the arch
highlighted Westward Expansion and told of the Lewis and Clark expedition from St. Louis
to our Washington coast. Other sights included the Old Courthouse where the Dred Scott
trial was held. Remember that Dred and Harriet Scott were slaves who sued for their
freedom and when the case was lost, it triggered the beginning of the Civil War. The
Mississippi Riverfront called many of us to it’s shore as we enjoyed lunch together. A
nearby Botanical Garden and an Interactive Art Museum delighted others
32 amendments were voted upon and 16 were adopted. All adopted amendments became
effective October 1, 2011 but are not to be implemented until the official written notice effective October 1, 2011 but are not to be implemented until the official written notice
appears in the November-December issue of the P.E.O. RECORD and/or instructions with
implementing materials are received in the winter 2012 chapter mailing.
Many of the amendments which passed were “housekeeping” amendments which will
strike obsolete parts of our Constitution and clarify others. Of particular interest is the
amendment that passed which has allowed a $3 increase in dues to International Chapter
and an amendment which was passed that changes the vote necessary to defeat the ballot
from one con vote to two con votes and allow a second ballot if there are only two con
votes. Changes in the wording to the Ceremony of Initiation and prayers were considered.
Washington State’s proposed amendment was passed which will entitle the presidents and
vice presidents of state/provinces/and districts to be members of Convention of
International Chapter. If you are curious about the amendments, the voting, and to learn
more about the outcomes, please go to our peowashington.org website where those
details are posted. We are looking forward to our next Convention of International Chapter
which will be held in Dallas, Texas. The theme “Deep In The Heart” will surely include more
than the heart of Texas. The Texas delegation has bellowed a hearty “Y’all come. Y’ hear”.
Remember that the Convention of International Chapter is OUR convention. It is where
change is made. If you see a need for a change in our Constitution, take it to your chapter. change is made. If you see a need for a change in our Constitution, take it to your chapter.
The chapter will then vote on whether to propose an amendment and present it at the
Washington State Chapter convention in June. The state delegation would then vote on
whether to propose the amendment at the International level. If the proposed
amendment passes at the Convention of International Chapter, the Constitution is changed.
For more specifics on the business held in St. Louis, do go to the www.peointernational.org
website and know that all the information will be printed in the November-December website and know that all the information will be printed in the November-December
RECORD and in the official Proceedings. Your chapter has been assigned a delegate who
has taken on the responsibility to inform members on the proceedings of the International
Convention. Feel free to ask questions.
Our goal in creating this presentation was to report the business of the Convention of
International Chapter and to try to relay the excitement and joy of attending. We hope we
have accomplished just that.